Sometimes, we become prisoners of our own fantasies.  We create a false reality from dreams that were merely that – ephemeral dreams, hopes, wishes, wild expectations rooted in falsehoods. And when the imprisonment starts to become routine, as all repeated activity does, then we see the candle flame begin to flicker, portending possible finality and death. 

We eventually reach the point of making a decision, then… to stoke the flame, give it oxygen, help it to revive and flourish once again… or to walk away, give up, and let nature run its course. The hard part of the former decision is that it is almost impossible to accomplish alone.  Two are needed for this challenging enterprise of will power.  The hard part of the latter course of action is that we must live with the risk that we might forever regret what might have been, like turning our backs on a rare opportunity.   ~Richard